Cementing equipment



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ATTCRNEYS Patented Jan. 4, 1949 CENIENTING EQUIPMENT John J. Larkin, St. Louis, Mo.; St. Louis Union Trust Company, Lillian V. Larkin, and Lila G. Dancy, executors of said John J. Larkin, deceased, assgnors to Larkin Packer Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application May 25, 1944, Serin No. 537,311

(ci. 16s- 1) 7 Claims.

This invention relates to eementing equipment for cementing wells and more particularly the casing shoes employed for such cementing,

In the cementing of oil or gas wells, various formations or strata must be sealed off. In some cases these may be a water formation, and in some cases gas formations are sealed ofi". In cases where the economic formation is oil or even gas, it may be desired that such formation be left unsealed, and for this purpose the employment of packers has been resorted to.

One of the objects oi this invention is to provide a convenient cementing equipment which is capable of performing a cementing operation under various conditions, and which is applicable to those conditions without any substantial change.

Another object is to provide cementing equipment which is simple in construction and simple and eiiicient in its operation.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which will be described any number of embodiments of this invention; it will be understood, however, that this invention is susceptible to various other embodiments, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal View, somewhat in perspective and partly in section, illustrating an embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view with the parts in different positions;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 Figure l;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a section of the ball valve;

Figure 7 is a section of the special collar, and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating another embodiment of this invention.

Generally stated and in accordance with the illustrative embodiments of this invention, a casing shoe, which as usual may be tipped with a guide, is provided with a packing and with a port or ports above that packing. The packing is normally collapsed or contracted so that the shoe may be readily let down in the hole, and so as to even provide a space for cement between the packer and the hole. This packing may, however, be expanded against the hole so as to seal or bar off the hole below the ports. A closure is provided for the ports and this closure is in the form of a sleeve within the shoe and is frangibly attached to the shoe as by a shear pin, The closure or lll sleeve has a seat adapted to receive a valve, which may be in the form of a weighted ball, capable of being dropped down into the shoe so as to come to rest on the seat. When the iiuid pressure is applied, the frangible connection will give away, so as to cause the closure or sleeve to move down and uncover the ports, whereby cement may be forced down through these ports and above the packing.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1-6 the formation through which the hole 9 passes may have a series of strata, for instance a water stratum I I and an oil stratum I0, a casing shoe I2 is provided with a guide I3, which latter may be of a suitable readily drillable material such as a plastic or concrete and provided with a neck I4 which is threaded into the end of the shoe to form a continuation thereof. Above the neck and the guide is a plug I5 which may also be of a readily drillable material as a plastic such as Bakelite and forming with the top of the guide` a valve chamber in which is located a ball I6 which may also be of plastic such as Bakelite. This bell rests on a series of radial ribs II providing passages I8 therebetween for passage of fluid downwardly past the valve. The plug has a valve seat I9 against which the valve is arranged to take when there is an upward ilow of the uid. This construction provides a floating equipment in order to oat the shoe into4 the well,

Mounted on and outside of the shoe is a packer 20 of rubber or other suitable material whose lower end bears against a shoulder or stop 2| on the shoe. A shoulder on a ring 22 slidable on the shoe bears against the upper end of the packing. Arranged on the outside of and slidable on the shoe and bearing against` the ring is sleeve 23 which serves as a rigid spacer member intermediate the packer and actuator. The ring 22, the sleeve 23 and washer 33 form an abutment slidable along the shoe and against the packer thereon.

This sleeve may have secured thereto wall gripping means in the form of strips 24, whose lower ends are riveted to the sleeve at 25 and whose upper ends slide in grooves 26 on an enlargement 21 on the sleeve. Sleeve 23 slides on the shoe over threads at 28 so as to provide for relative movement of the sleeve and the shoe. A collar 29 providing a rotatable actuator, has a threaded engagement with the top extension of the shoe and this collar is provided with notches 30, forming ratchets engaged by pawls in the form of strips 3| of spring form, fastened to the shoe, as by rivets 32. A steel spacer ring or thrust washer 33 3 r is interposed between the collar and the sleeve 23. The collar is provided with a thread 34 for attachment to a casing or pipe section,

The shoe is provided with a series of ports 40 aligned with slots 4| in the sleeve 23, and the shoe has blocks 42 ,sliding in the slots 4|. Arranged within the shoe is a closure in the form of sleeve 43, provided with packing rings 44, while a shear pin 45 in the closure passes into the shoe. The closure sleeve 43 may be formed of any suitable plastic material such as Bakelite, as may also be the shear pin 45 which provides. a frangible oonnection. This closure sleeve provides a seat for a ball 46 which may be dropped intothe shoe and on top of the sleeve so as to come to rest` thereon. and closing the opening through the sleeve, ball may be of Bakelite and Weighted as shown in Figure 6, as by providing a cavity 41 therein to receive a heavy material, such as lead.

Above the casing shoe, one or more lengths away may be a special collar 48 provided with ari rebutment 49v of concrete or a plastic such as Bakelite to receive the plus Ordinarily use cl in cementing.

Upon reference to Figure l, it will be seen that the oementing equipment is such that it may readily belet down the well so as to provide space even outside of the packing when collapsed. The ball valve construction at the bottom provides means whereby this equipment may be floated into the well. In this position the usual washing operation may be performed, for at this time the side openings or ports 40 will be closed by the closure sleeve 43. Cementing vmay also be then performedI in the usual Way; for during both washing and eementing the fluid can passy the valve l thro-ugh the por-ts I 8.` A formation,y such as Hl even belowV the shoe, can therefore be cemented- If it is, however, desiredV to cement a formation or strata such as i l, without oementing a stratum such as l0,- the procedure will be as; follows: The casing shoe isset to the desiredpositionas shown in Figure l below the formation 1|, butr with. the packer 20 above the formation l0. At, this timethe grippers 4,Y taking again-st the walls ofthe hole,4 will. keep the shoe assembly from turning, so that rotative force. maybel ap`A plied to the assembly. The, casing orf pipe at,- tached to the sleeve 29'is. now rotated to the right, which is permitted by the ratchet and pawl arrangementand 3|. Upon suchrotationfthe collar 29 will rotate on the shoe extension, and by the interengagement of the threads will raise thel shoe in the sleeve 23, held against rotationI by the` grippers 24 and .by the blocks 42 slidingv inv the slots 4|. This will causerthe packer 211 to` expand against. the side Walls` of the hole asl shown in Figure 2 and seal oi the formation below the packer. Y

rlhe ball 46 can now be dropped on the closure. sleeve 43 so asA to prevent further downward-dow of any `fluid. Upon applying pressure tothe fluid in the shoe, as by pump pressure, the pin 45 will shear off, causing the closure sleeve, to movedown and uncover the ports 4Q and the Slots 4| as shown in Figure 2. Water can then b e iushed out through these ports if desired, andY this can be followed by the appliCatQrl, Of Cement, which also passes out throughthe ports andA above the packer, while the packer will preventy passage of cement therebelow as will also the b allr 46 It WilLVtherefore,V be seen thata formation or formations above the packer can be sealed' ofwiths out sealing the formationbelow the packer.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8 the packer is not expansible and is in the form of a cone-shaped packer 50. In such a case a reduced hole 60 is drilled, providing a 'shoulder 5| against which the packer may take, this packer being compressed by the weight `of the equipment. This packer need then simplybe mounted between a shoulder 52 on the shoe and a shoulder i 53 on a ring, secured by a sleeve 54, whichA can be simply riveted to the shoe as shown at 55. The restof the construction may be the same as in Figures l and 2. In this embodiment the packer need not be expanded; therefore, the

mechanism for expanding the same as provided in the other embodiment may be dispensed with. The shoe with its packer is simply let down the hole to cause the packer 5|] to rest on the shoulder and seal off the formation l below. The procedure can then follow that previously described.

It will, therefore, be seen that this invention accomplishes its objects. A simple and effective cementng equipment is provided which is practically universal in itscapabilities; for the same equipment may be used for cementing below or above the bottom of the shoe. The construction is such,v that the equipment may be readily let down the hole. The equipment as a whole,4 is simple in itsk construction and operation.

Having thus describedV the invention, what is claimed is:

1, Cementing equipment comprising a shoe adaptablev to he connectedv to a well casing and provided with an external packer, the said shoe being provided with portsV extending from the interior tothe exterior thereof and situated above the packer, a sleeve having a slidable but nonrotatable, mounting on said shoe and having one end in abutment. with said packer, openings in the sleeve communicating with the shoe ports,

formation gripping means on said sleeve,` and anv actuator inV ahutmentwith the end of said sleeve remote from, the packer and having a threaded engagement rwith said shoe whereby the sleeve maybeshfted axially of the shoe to. expand the packer upon relative rotation between the actuatorandrshoe. s v

2. In cementing equipment, a shoe having a lateral port, said shoe Vadapted .for connection to awell casing., a. packer carried externally of the sheeleeneatlrthe port, formation gripping ele-V ments carried by the shoe adapted lto engage a,y Well` formation to resist. rotation of the shoe therein, an actuator having a connection with thevslioeto` shift the shoe axially relative to the actuator upon relative rotation between the actuator and, shoe, a1 rigid spacer member slidably mounted exteriorly of the shoe intermediatethe actuator and packer rand axially shiftableralong the shoe. in response, to relative, axial movement of the actuator and shoe to. expand thel packer to provide a sealbetweenthe. shoe and well bore, andV means for establishing communication between the. shoe Lfrt.V and the. exterior of the` cementing equipment at a location above thel packers;Y In, cementing equipment a. shoe. having a lateral port, said shoe adapted for connectionto a well. casing), a packerlcarried externally of the Shoe. beneath. therort, formation gripping` glei.,

meritsl carried, by the yshoeadapted to engageY a well' formation, to. resist rotation of the shoe thereini an actuator having; a. connection with,

the shoe to shifttheshoe, axially relative tothe aetuatorupon relative; rotation between theactue ator and shoe, a pawl and ratchet providing for rotation between the shoe and actuator in one direction only, a rigid spacer member slidably mounted exteriorly of the shoe intermediate the actuator and packer and axially shiftable along the shoe in response to axial movement of the actuator to expand the packer to provide a seal between the shoe and Well bore and means for establishing communication between the shoe port and the exterior of the cementing equipment at a location above the packer.

4. In cementing equipment a shoe having a lateral port, said shoe adapted for connection to a Well casing, a closure for the port, said closure mounted internally of the shoe and adapted to be selectively shifted axially of the shoe to open the port, a packer carried externally of the shoe beneath the port, formation gripping elements carried by the shoe adapted to engage a well formation to resist rotation of the shoe therein, an actuator having a connection with the shoe to shift the shoe axially relative to the actuator upon relative rotation between the actuator and shoe, a rigid spacer member slidably mounted exteriorly of the shoe intermediate the actuator and packer and axially shiftable along' the shoe in response to axial movement of the actuator to expand the packer to provide a seal between the shoe and Well bore, and means for establishing communication between the shoe port and the exterior of the cementing equipment at a location above the packer.

5. In cementing equipment a shoe having a lateral port, said shoe adapted for connection to a well casing, a packer carried externally of the shoe beneath the port, formation gripping elements carried by the shoe adapted to engage a Well formation to resist rotation of the shoe therein, an actuator having a connection with the shoe to shift the shoe axially relative to the actuator upon relative rotation between the actuator and shoe, and a rigid spacer sleeve having a lateral port therethrough registering with the shoe port at all operating positions, said sleeve slidably but non-rotatably mounted exteriorly of the shoe intermediate the packer and actuator and adapted upon said axial movement of the shoe to expand the packer, and a hydraulically operable valve within the shoe controlling the ports of the shoe and sleeve.

6. In cementing equipment a shoe having a lateral port adapted for connection to a Well casing, an expansible packer carried externally of the shoe, one end of the packer abutting a stop limiting sliding movement of the packer in one direction along the shoe, the packer located expand the packer including an actuator adapted to connect to a well casing and rotate therewith,

said actuator having a supporting connection with the shoe providing for relative rotation thereof in one direction, said latter connection adapted to shift the actuator axially relative to the shoe in a direction toward the packer upon said relative rotation of the actuator and shoe in said one direction, a rigid spacer abutment assembly between the actuator and packer slidably mounted on the shoe to collapse the packer against the stop and expand the packer upon movement of the actuator toward the packer, gripping elements carried by the shoe adapted to engage a stationary object relative to a Well casing and within a well bore when the casing is rotated to thereby resist rotation of the shoe with a supporting casing and means for establishing communication between the shoe port and the exterior of the cementing equipment at a location above the packer.

7. Cementing equipment comprising of a shoe, a connector adapted to secure the shoe to a well casing in such manner that the shoe is shifted axially relative to the casing upon relative rotation of the shoe and casing, formation gripping elements carried by the shoe to resist rotation of the shoe within a Well bore, an expansible packer on the shoe, a lateral shoe port situated in the shoe above the packer, means for expanding the packer upon axial shifting of the shoe relative to the supporting well casing, a movable closure for said port within the shoe, the closure having an opening with a seat adapted to receive a valve dropped into the casing whereupon by application of fluid pressure the closure is moved to open said port and means for etablishing communication between the shoe port and the exterior of the cementing equipment at a location above the packer.

JOHN J. LARKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,459,989 Reed June 26, 1923 1,802,525 Newlin Apr. 28, 1931 1,906.891 White May 2, 1933 2,117,534 Baker May 17, 1938 2,136,015 Nicks Nov. 8, 1938 2,187,481 Baker Jan. 16, 1940 2,212,086 Thornhill Aug. 20, 1940 2,230,447 Bassinger Feb. 4, 1941 2,320,670 Scaramucci June 1, 1943 

